International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.

2, February 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

A Review of Solar Dryer Technologies

Ashish D. Chaudhari1, Prof. Sanjay P. Salve2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, University of Pune, India.
ashishchaudhari3388@gmail.com1
sanjaysalve@yahoo.com2

Abstract- Drying is very important process applicable for agricultural and industrial products. Drying is the
moisture removing process from the products. Drying reduces the bacterial growth in the products. It will
helpful for preserving the products for long time. Solar drying is the oldest method of products drying. Open air
solar drying method is used frequently to dry the agricultural products. But this method has some disadvantages.
Therefore to avoid disadvantages it is necessary to use the other solar drying methods. Different solar drying
methods are direct solar drying, indirect solar drying, and mixed mode solar drying. The device used for drying
process with application of solar energy called the Solar dryer. Solar dryer are also classified with mode of air
circulation. In this paper, we studied the various modes of solar drying and classification of solar drying
techniques.

Index Terms -Solar drying technologies, Natural circulation solar dryers, Forced circulation solar dryers, Green
house dryer, Solar tunnel dryer.

1. INTRODUCTION classified according to natural circulation and

Drying is a simple process of removing
excess water content from an agricultural or
industrial product [36]. It is oldest method of food
preservation. Most of the agricultural products
contain the higher moisture of 2580% but
generally for agricultural products around 70%.
This value of moisture content is very much higher
than the required for long preservation. Due to this
moisture content bacterial and fungal growth is
very fast in the crops. Bacteria and enzymes may
spoil the foodstuff and reduces the nutrient content
in it. Moisture content of crops to a certain level
slows down the bacterial, enzymes, and yeasts
effect [36]. Therefore it is necessary to reduce the
moisture content in foodstuff for its long
preservation. Another case of drying is to remove
the total moisture content from food. These
dehydrated foods regain its original conditions after
re-watering whenever necessary to use.
Using solar drying technologies are very
much advantages than using fossil fuels for product
drying. Most beautiful advantage is pollution free
method and reducing emission of carbon particles
in atmosphere. Solar drying technologies are
broadly classified in to three modes direct solar
drying, indirect solar drying and mixed mode solar
drying [1, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 34, 36]. Solar dryer are
the device used for product drying with proper
application of solar energy. Solar dryers are
classified by air movement in the drying chamber.
It is generally
forced circulation [7, 8, 10, 22, 36].
A. A. El-Sebaii et. al. presented a
comprehensive review of Solar drying of
agricultural products with detailed fundamentals
and previous work performed on solar dryer (2011)
[1]. Atul H Patel et. al. reviewed the different types
of solar dryer with detailed development and
performance (2013) [7]. Babagana Gutti et. al.
presented how the solar dryer technology effective
for agricultural products preservation and also
discussed the various evaluation methods for solar
dryers (2012) [8]. B. K. Bala and Nipa Debnath
presented comprehensive review of solar dryer
developments and potentials for drying of fruits,
vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, and fish
(2012) [10]. D. R. Pangavhave and R. L. Sawhney
presented the review article of different solar
drying technologies with detailed development and
performance for grape drying (2002) [12]. O.V.
Ekechukwua and B. Norton discussed the review of
solar drying technologies for application of each
design type for rural farmers in developing
countries (1997) [27]. S. VijayaVenkataRaman et.
al. presented comprehensive review of various
solar drying technologies with design, development
and performance evaluation also discussed the
drying in off sunshine hours by using different
desiccant materials (2012) [34]. V. Belessiotis and
E. Delyannis presented comprehensive study of
different solar drying technologies with
fundamental principles and parameters (2010) [36].

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2. METHODS OF SOLAR DRYING
TECHNOLOGIES
2.1 Direct Solar Drying
Direct solar drying is the conventional
way of drying the products. In this method the
products are directly exposed to the solar radiation
and reduce the moisture content to atmospheric air.
The air movement is due to density difference. It is
broadly classified into two categories:
(1) The outdoor open air solar drying.
(2) Through a transparent cover which protects
partly the foodstuff from rain and other natural
phenomena i.e. a passive solar drying method
[36].
This technique involves the thin layer of
product spread over large space to expose to
solar radiation [36]. This process for a long time
until the products will dry to a required level.
The surface floor made from the concrete or
particular area of soil is making applicable for
Outdoor direct sun drying. This type of drying
method is useful for grains. Material is led on
outdoor floor for a long time, usually 10-30 days.
It is easiest method product drying but it has
following disadvantage [14, 20, 37];
(1) It depends on climate conditions and requires a
large surface and long time of exposure to the
sun.
(2) Final product condition is on observations of
unskilled human being.
(3) Final condition of dried product will never
control scientifically.
(4) Product may loss quantity wise on attack of
birds, animals and rodents.
(5) Product may expose to all kinds of weather
changes.
(6) Drying rate is very low for direct solar drying.
(7) The direct exposure to sunlight can greatly
reduce the level of nutrients such as vitamins
in the dried product.
2.2 Indirect Solar Drying
Indirect solar drying or convective solar
drying is the new technique of product drying. It is
very efficient method than the direct type of solar
drying. In this method the atmospheric air is heated
in flat plate collector or concentrated type solar
collector. The heating process is either passive or
active. This hot air then flow in the cabin where
products are stored. Therefore moisture from the
product may lost by convection and diffusion. This
method of drying is used to avoid direct exposing
to the solar radiation. This method mainly reduces
the disadvantages of direct solar drying.
2.2.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Indirect
Solar Drying [36]:
(1) Drying rate is high as compare to direct solar
drying.
(2) Final condition of product after drying can be
controlled scientifically.
(3) Losses in product are avoided on the
circumstances of natural phenomena.
(4) Floor surface area required is very low for the
same quantity of material in direct solar
drying.
(5) Same dryer can be used for different seasonal
products.
(6) Preserve the nutrient content in product as
avoiding direct exposure to solar radiations.
(7) Main disadvantage of indirect solar drying is
the high initial cost.
2.3 Mixed Mode Solar Drying
It is combination of direct and indirect
solar drying method. Product may dry with both
direct exposure to solar radiation and hot air
supplier on it. Air may heated in solar energy
collector first then pass to the chamber where
products are stored. In this process product may dry
according to convective moisture loss. The same
chamber is partially or totally covered with the
transparent material to exposure the products to
solar radiation. Fig.1 shows Schematic views of the
mixed mode natural convection solar crop-dryer
(MNCSCD). System is divided into three main
components: an air-heater, drying chamber, and a
chimney. Air-heater through which the drying air is
heated as it flows over and under an absorber plate
that is heated in turn by direct absorption of
incident radiation. Crop to be dried is placed in
drying chamber. The moist air flows through
chimney and escapes into the surrounding. Mixed
mode natural convection solar crop-dryer presented
by F.K. Forson et. al.(2007). Solar energy is
incident on the planes of the primary collector and
the drying chamber. The governing equations were
derived with respect of the drying air temperature,
humidity ratio, product temperature and its
moisture content [13]. O.V. Ekechukwu and B.
Norton represent the various designs of mixed-
mode natural-circulation and forced circulation
solar dryers. Fig.2 shows various schematic views
of mixed mode solar dryer.
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Fig.1. Schematic views of the Mixed Mode Natural Convection Solar Crop-Dryer (MNCSCD) [13].

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Fig.2 Schematic views of a Mixed-mode solar dryers a) Natural-circulation solar rice dryer; b) Natural-circulation solar-energy dryer with
thermal storage; c) Multi-stacked natural-circulation solar-energy dryer; d) Wind-ventilated solar dryer [27].

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Fig.3 Deep bed drying zones of grains. D: bed height; P: plenum chamber; A: lower zone; B: middle zone; C: upper zone of grain and E:
exhaust of humid air [36].

2.4 Thin Layer Drying and Deep Bed Drying

Drying rate mainly depend upon some

factors, these are moisture content of product,
temperature of air, velocity of air, relative humidity
of surrounding air apart besides that the type and
size of products also affect the drying rate.
Therefore fruits vegetables are dried with thin layer
and agricultural grains, beans, seeds, nuts etc. dried
in deep bed. Fig. 3 shows three different zones of
drying grains. Lower zone dried very rapidly than
upper zones. The removed moisture content from
lower zone accumulates in the upper zone.
Therefore temperature and moisture content
gradients form in the zones. The final moisture
content is calculated as average moisture content of
the three zones. This will limits bed height in the
chamber [36].

3. SOLAR DRYER Fig. 4 Classification of Solar Dryer

Solar dryer is the simple devices used to
collect the solar radiations and transfer that
radiation in the form of heat energy and this heat
energy then transfer to product for drying.
3.1 Classification of Solar Dryer
Solar dryers configure with many modes
of heat transfer and construction. Therefore it is
difficult to classify the solar dryer. Solar dryer are
classify with drying process, mode of heat transfer,
air movement, material to be dried, types of
operation e.g., batch or continuous, etc. Ekechukwu
and Norton (1999) present a complete classification
according partly to the type of dryer. Babagana
Gutti et. al. also represent the complete
classification of solar dryer (2012). Solar dryer
broadly classified by mode of air movement in the
collector and drying chamber;
Solar Dryer
3.2 Natural Circulation Solar Dryer
In natural circulation solar dryers the
product are stored in the cabin or hot box units.
Where heating method is either direct or indirect
type depend on the final product quality. Heating
takes place by natural convection, solar radiation
through the transparent cover or in a solar air
heater. The natural circulation type solar dryers are
inexpensive in constructions, easy to install and
operate.
3.2.1 Cabinet Type Natural Circulation Solar
Dryer
D. R. Pangavhave and R. L. Sawhney
(2002) represent the simplest cabinet type solar
dryer shown in fig.5 a). This is a small box
generally made from easily available wooden
material. Front, Side and rear panel are provided
with holes for circulation of air. The base of box is

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Natural Circulation Forced Circulation

Solar Dryer Solar Dryer
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madee from the wire mesh wooden trays [11, 26].
2 drying
O.V. Ekechukwu and B. Norton (1999) represent
the modified cabinet dryer shown in Fig.5 b). It
equipped with a wooden plenum to guide the air
inlet and a long plywood chimney to enhance
natural-circulation [27].
A. Saleh and I. Badran were designed,
developed and tested the domestic solar dryer with
transparent external surfaces. Thin-layer
Thin drying
method used to describe the drying phenomena
regardless of the controlling mechanism. The
experimental set up used to estimate the drying
period for several products. The performance was
tested under different operational conditions and
the
characteristics were experimentally
investigated. Experiments were conducted on two
local herbs, Jews mallow and mint leaves. System
was use the solar tracking mechanism [6]. A.R.
Celma and F. Cuadros presents energy and exergy
analyses of the drying process of olive mill
wastewater (OMW) using an indirect
indire type natural
convection
ction solar dryer are presented shown in Fig.
6. Using the first law of thermodynamics, energy
analysis was carried out to estimate the amounts of
energy gained from solar air heater and the ratio of
energy utilization of the drying chamber.
ch Also,
applying the second law, exergy analysis was
developed to determine the type and magnitude of
exergy losses during the solar drying process. Two
operating days time was needed to make the final
moisture content of OMW [5].[5]

Fig.5 a) Simple design of Cabinet Solar Dryer [12]; b) Modified Cabinet Solar Dryer [27].
[27]

(1) Drying chamber

(2) Tray
(3) Load door
(4) Optional Fan
(5) Chimney
(6) Control panel and data transmission
(7) Load cell
(8) Polystyrene plate
(9) Black aluminium plate
(10) Cover
(11) Temperature and relative humidity sensors
(12) Flux controlling sensor
(13) Support wheel , (14) Computer

Fig.6 Experimental set up developed by A.R. Celma and F. Cuadros for olive mill wastewater (OMW) [5].

J.K. Afriyie et. al. (2009) tested chimney-

chimney
dependent direct-mode
mode solar crop dryer for
different angles. For that a laboratory model of a
direct-mode
mode dryer was designed and constructed
with three replaceable drying-chamber
drying roofs, each
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at a different angle with respect to the vertical
plane. Roof angles 810, 640 and 510 were used.
The width of the drying chamber was 440 mm and
the length was 420 mm. The total height of the
chamber was 530 mm. The base of the chamber
was made of wood (40 mm thick) with the top
surface painted black to serve as absorber in the
drying chamber. Such types of solar dryers are
suitable for low humid air. For high humid air
condition, it is necessary to provide certain amount
of preheating to the air. The results showed that the
solar chimney can increase the airflow rate of a
direct-mode dryer especially when it is well
designed with the appropriate angle of drying-
chamber roof [21, 34].
Fig.7 Functional architecture of the chimney-dependent direct-
mode solar crop dryer [21].
3.2.2 Green House Type Natural Circulation
Solar Dryer
Green house type solar dryers are used for
large quantity products drying. Fig.8 a) shows the
Glass roof green house type of solar dryer. Here
cold atmospheric air passes from two side walls
and circulate on the product. House consist of
length wise two parallel rows of drying platforms
made up of galvanized iron wire mesh surface. It
was laid over wooden beams. Glass roofs allow
passing solar radiation over the product. Side walls
was black painted improves solar radiation
absorption. Exit vent was provided on top most
position. Fig.8 b) shows the tent type natural
circulation solar dryer. It was made from locally
available bamboo framework. Front side facing to
the solar radiation and upper half portion of
backside covered with transparent plastic cover.
Back colored plastic covers the remaining bottom
half portion of back side and also lies on the floor
of tent to increase the solar radiation absorption.
Small vent was providing at top of one triangular
side of tent for air movement [27].
P. Gbaha et. al. (2006) develops direct
mode type solar dryer with chimney. Fig.9 shows
experimental set up. It was constructed from local
materials (wood, blades of glass, metals). The
drying chamber made up of dimensions 1.34 m x
0.936 m x0.45 m. The surface on which the product
to be dried is exposed is 1.24 m x 0.81m
dimensions and represents a drying area of 1m2.
The solar chimney assembled on the cover of the
drying chamber contains an absorber, velocity
regulator of natural convective flow. The length of
the solar chimney base is fixed at 0.20 m x 0.50 m
high. It was tested experimentally in foodstuffs
drying (cassava, bananas, and mango). Also
presents an experimental approach which consists
in analyzing the behavior of the dryer. The study
relates mainly kinetics and establishment of drying
heat balances [29].
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Fig.8 a) Glass roof green house type of solar dryer; b) Tent type natural circulation solar dryer [27].

Fig.9 Direct solar dryer using a thermal circulator [29].

3.3 Forced Circulation Cabinet Solar Dryer

3.3.1 Cabinet Type Forced Circulation Solar

Dryer

Fig.10 Schematic view of cabinet type forced circulation solar dryer [3].

Ahmad Ghazanfari (2002) develops a prototype
forced circulation cabinet solar dryer shown in
Fig.10 for pistachio nuts drying. The drying
chamber was made up of dimensions with length of
170 cm; width of 210 cm; front height of the
chamber is 30 cm and the back height of 65 cm.
Four trays were used of sliding type of dimensions
80 cm x 70 cm x 10 cm. It was fitted in the
chamber. The final moisture content of the nuts
was 6.0%. This final moisture content reached in
36 sunshine hours [3].
Performance study was presented by
Medugu, D. W. for two designs of solar dryers
(chimney and cabinet). Both dryers were used to
perform experimental test in drying 50kg of
tomatoes, pepper and bitter leaves. Chimney
provided at the top with DC fan and hole provided
at the side of the system of cabinet solar dryer.
Chimney type solar dryer gives reduced drying
time than cabinet type [24].
3.3.2. Chamber type forced circulation solar dryer
Experimental study presented by Alireza
Azimi et.al. (2012) on Eggplant drying with an
Indirect forced convection solar dryer. Fig.11
shows schematic and pictorial views of solar dryer
for eggplant drying. Performance of solar dryer is
determined by defining the efficiency of collector
and an effectiveness factor as the ratio of the drying
rate in the indirect solar dryer to the drying rate in

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the open sun. Drying behavior of eggplant was
performed on kinetics study [4]. Dattatreya M.
Kadam and D.V.K. Samuel (2005) develop forced
convective system for cauliflower drying shown in
Fig. 12. Flat plate collector consists of absorber
plate of GI sheet (22 gauge) with channel fins.
Collector used with dimensions 1m x 2 m and total
collector area is of 8 m2. The forced airflow allows
a better hot air distribution through the trays. The
relation between moisture ratio and drying time
was found and drying constant K was calculated
from experimental data for different pretreatment
[11]. Ghatrehsamani S.H. et. al. (2012)
develops indirect type forced circulation solar dryer
for apricot drying and compare results of indirect
solar drying with the mixed mode solar drying. It
can be said that the drying rate in the mixed-mode
of solar drying is higher than the indirect mode of
solar drying in every air flow velocity. The increase
in the drying rate could be due to the values of
higher temperature in the mixed-mode because of
direct solar radiation on product in cabinet in
addition to the heated air by solar heaters [15].
Fig.11 a) Schematic view and b) Pictorial view of an indirect forced convection solar dryer for Eggplant drying [4].
New solar dryer systems with swirling flow for
drying seeded grape designed and develop by
Glah akmak and Cengiz Yldz (2009). Fig.13
shows the schematic diagram of experiment set
designed for drying seeded grapes grown around
Elaz region. It is examined for drying time
compared to that of natural drying. Also it is
examined for drying rate with air velocity [16].
Gutti Babagana et. al. present design and
construction of forced or natural convection solar
dryer with heat storage. The drying tests were
conducted for drying tomato, onion, pepper, okra
and spinach and results compared between forced
and natural circulation modes [17]. Jan Banout and
Petr Ehl present design and details of the double-
pass solar drier for drying (DPSD) of bamboo
shoots in Vietnam. The performances of a forced
convection DPSD have been compared with those
of a typical conventional dryer and a traditional
open air sun drying for drying of bamboo shoots.
DPSD shows better performance than other types
of dryer for bamboo shoots drying.
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Fig.12 Side view of forced circulation solar dryer and front view of the flat-plate solar heat collecting panels developed by Dattatreya M.
Kadam and D.V.K. Samuel for cauliflower drying [11].

Fig. 14 shows the description of Double-
pass Solar Drier (DPSD) [19]. Kumar Tekam et. al.
designed and developed prototype forced
circulation solar dryer system operated on PV
module shown in Fig. 15. Electric fan operated by
PV module. Set up consists of solar collector unit
and food dryer chamber. The dryer chamber was
closed fitted by aluminum pipe and aluminum plate
which was painted with black color Experimental
set is evaluated for apple drying and calculations
were compared with open air solar drying [22]. M.
Mohanraj and P. Chandrasekar (2008) develops the
cabinet type forced circulation solar dryer for
Copra drying shown in Fig.16. They Investigates
the variation of moisture content, ambient
temperature and air drying temperature as function
of drying temperature. The drying rate of copra in
the solar dryer was high compared to open air solar
drying [23]. Mustafa Akta et. al. designed and
developed the heat pump and solar dryer for
determination of drying characteristics of apples. It
was recommended that the system with
combination of both dryers considered being more
efficient. The drying process can be continued with
solar energy in the daytime and a heat pump dryer
can be used at night [25]. Panna Lal Singh (2010)
develops forced convection type solar dryer for
Silk cocoon drying shown in Fig. 16. The dryer (50
kg/batch) consisted of cabinet type drying chamber,
drying trays, solar air heaters, hot air ducts, blower
and electrical backup. Overall size of the drying
chamber was 1000 x 1500 x 1500 mm. It was
provided with 30 numbers of the drying trays to
load the cocoons to avoid direct exposure of UV
radiations on silk cocoons. Size of the each tray
was 0.57 x 0.82 m. Collector area of the solar air
heaters was 16 m2. There were eight solar air
heating panels (size: 1 m x 2 m) arranged in series
and parallel combinations. The drying time for a
batch of raw cocoons were 1619 sunshine hours
depending upon intensity of sun and ambient
temperature [29].

1- Fan; 2- Duct

3- Solar energy collector;

4- Support frame;

5- Swirl element;

6- Door ;7- Drying Chamber with air directing elements;

8- High humid air exhaust;

9- Control panel;

10- Computer.

Fig.13 Schematic view of experiment set up with swirling flow solar dryer for seeded grape drying [16].

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Fig. 14 Description of Double-pass Solar Drier (DPSD) [19].

Fig.15. Pictorial view of forced circulation solar dryer system operated with PV cell [22].

Fig.16. Schematic view of the solar drier used for copra drying [23].

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Fig.17. a) Schematic view b) Pictorial view of forced circulation solar dryer for hill products [30].
R. K. Aggarwal (2012) designed and
developed the indirect forced circulation solar
dryer for hill products. Fig. 17 shows the schematic
view and photo of dryer. Solar collector with a
glass area of 2.4 m2 and volume is 0.693m3. The
drying chamber with dimension of 1.1m x 0.7m
x1m has three removable trays. The eight bulbs of
100 W each are provided in the solar collector for
heating during rains and after sunset to reduce the
drying time. A DC fan is provided at top of the
drying chamber for air circulation. A solar battery
has been attached with the drying chamber to run
the fan. Also present survey report about of uses of
solar dryer in the hill area [30]. Systematic design
and construction of indirect forced convention solar
crop dyer for drying Moringa leaves presents by
S.K. Amedorme et. al.(2013). The tests were
performed for geographical orientation in Kumasi
is 6.7o N, 1.6o W [33]. S. Youcef-Ali and J.Y.
Desmons (2007) present effect of aerothermic
parameters and the product quantity on the
production capacity of an indirect forced
convection solar dryer. Experiments were studied
for the drying potato. The solar collector equipped
with offset plate fins placed in the dynamic air
passage below the absorber [35].
V. Shanmugam and E. Natarajan (2005)
present the experimental investigation of forced
convection and desiccant bed integrated solar
dryer. Fig.18. a) shows schematic view of the
desiccant integrated solar dryer. The system
consists of a forced circulation flat plate solar air
collector, drying chamber and a desiccant unit.
Desiccant bed is a mixture of 60% bentonite, 10%
calcium chloride, 20% vermiculite and 10% cement
by weight. This bed provides better drying effect
during off sun shine hours. System is studied for
green peas drying for different air flow rates [37].
Same experimental set up was examined for
Experimental study of regenerative desiccant
integrated solar dryer with and without reflective
mirror by V. Shanmugam and E. Natarajan (2006).
The desiccant material is increased by 20% of
earlier set up [38].
3.3.3. Green house type forced circulation solar
dryer
J. Kaewkiew et. al. presents the
experimental investigation of the performance of a
large-scale greenhouse type solar dryer for drying
chilli in Thailand. Fig.19 shows the pictorial view
of dryer. The verified chilli consist initial moisture
content of 74% (WB), this value reached to 9%
(WB) in 3 days. Green house made in parabolic
shape and it was covered of polycarbonate. The
dimensions of green house were width of 8.0 m,
length of 20.0 m and height 3.5 m and floor was
made from the concrete. Nine DC fan installed in
dryer operated on three 50-Watt solar cell modules.
Capacity of dryer was 1000 kg of fruits. Fig.19
shows pictorial view of green house solar dryer
used for chilli drying in Thailand [20].
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Fig.18. a) Schematic view of the desiccant integrated solar dryer: b) pictorial view of the desiccant integrated solar dryer with reflected
mirror developed by V. Shanmugam and E. Natarajan [37, 38].

Fig.19 Pictorial view of green house solar dryer used for chilli drying in Thailand [20].

Serm Janjai develops and disseminates the
use of a greenhouse type solar dryer for small-scale
dried food industries. Developed solar dryer shows
same characteristics of previous explained solar
dryer by J.Kaewkiew et. al. For continuous drying
operation a 100kW-LPG gas burner used in green
house to supply hot air to the dryer during cloudy
or rainy days. For dissemination purpose other two
green house solar dryer developed and installed at
different places in Thailand shows satisfactory
result [31]. Serm Janjai et. al. develop the large-
scale solar greenhouse dryer using polycarbonate
cover for a tropical environment of Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic. Solar dryer Developed with
same characteristics of previous explained solar
dryer by J.Kaewkiew et. al. Dryer was tested One
thousand kilograms of banana with the initial
moisture content of 68% (wb), hundred kilograms
of chilli with the initial moisture content of 75%
(wb) and Two hundred kilograms of coffee with
the initial moisture content of 52% (wb). Banana
was dried within 5 days compared to7 days
required for natural sun drying with the same
weather conditions. Chilli was dried within 3 days
while the natural sun drying needed 5 days. Coffee
was dried within 2 days as compared to 4 days
required for natural sun drying [32].
3.3. Solar Tunnel Dryer
The solar tunnel drier was installed for
Pineapple drying at Bangladesh Agricultural
University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh B.K. Bala et.
al. The drier consists of a flat plate air heating
collector, a tunnel drying unit and a small fan to
provide the required air flow over the product to be
dried. Both the collector and the drying unit are
covered with plastic. The air at the required flow
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rate is provided by two DC fans. Heat is transferred
from the absorber to the air in the collector and
heated air from the collector while passing over the
products absorbs moisture from the products. Solar
radiation also passes through the transparent cover
of the drier and heats the products in the drier. This
enhances the drying rate and the temperature in the
drier rises in the ranges of 34.164.0C for a
change in solar radiation from 0 to 580 W/m2.
Experiment is carried for Pineapple drying of
quantity 150 kg [9].
H.P. Garg and R. Kumar (2000) studies
thermal performance of collector semi-cylindrical
solar tunnel dryers shown in Fig. 21. These studies
mainly compare the natural circulation and forced
circulation of air through dryer. All experiments
carried for Delhi climate (28.58 N Latitude). The
proposed design of solar tunnel dryer has two
components viz., air collector and drying chamber
and both are connected in series. The air is forced
in the collector either by air blower or due to the
natural convection. Air is heated throughout the
collector length and is passed in the drying
chamber to evaporate the moisture from the
product [18]. N. Srisittipokakun et. al. (2012)
design and develop parabolic shaped solar tunnel
dryer for Andrographis paniculata drying shown in
Fig.22. Andrographis paniculata is an annual plant
with characteristic white-purple or spotted purple
flowers that flourishes in South-East Asia, China
Fig. 20 Solar tunnel drier for pineapple drying [9]
Fig.21 Schematic view of semi-cylindrical solar tunnel drying system [18].
and India. It has been valued for centuries by
herbalists as a treatment for upper respiratory
infections, fever, sore throat and herpes. The solar
tunnel dryer consists of a solar collector, drying
tunnel, and three radial flow fans to drive the moist
air out of the drier. The product to be dried is
placed as a single layer inside the drying tunnel.
Andrographis paniculata contains of 75% (wb)
moisture in initial stage. Two experiments were
carried out 100 kg of Andrographis paniculata can
be dried in 2 days [26].
Garima Tiwari et. al. presents
Comparative study of commonly used Solar Dryers
in India. Comparison was based upon the
parameters such as maintenance and purchase cost
of dryers, drying capacity, range of crops, quality
of dried product, adaptability to local condition and
efficiency. Comparative studied for chili,
mushroom, groundnut, maize, pepper and yam
drying [14].
A. Fadhel et.al. present study of the solar drying of
grapes by three different processes. Comparative
consist of open air, natural and solar tunnel drying.
Solar tunnel greenhouse drying was found to be
satisfactory and competitive to natural convection
solar drying process [2].
1- Air Inlet;
2- Fan;
3- Solar Module;
4- Solar Collector;
5- Side Metal Frame;
6- Outlet of the collector;
7- Wooden support;
8- Plastic net;
9- Roof structure for supporting the plastic cover;
10-Base structure for supporting the tunnel drier;
11-Rolling bar;
12- Outlet of the drying tunnel.
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E-ISSN: 2321-9637
Fig.22 The characteristics of solar tunnel dryer (a) Solar collector and (b) Product container [26].
4. CONCLUSION
Solar dryer is the best alternative
technology to avoid disadvantages of conventional
drying methods. Solar dryer is designed for a
particular crop and atmospheric conditions of
location. Various types like mixed mode, natural
circulation, forced circulation, green house type
and tunnel type of solar dryer are reviewed with
design parameters and performance. In mixed
mode of drying the product may dry in less time
compared to direct and indirect mode drying. But
indirect mode of product drying will essential
whenever requires avoiding direct exposure of
product to the solar radiation. Forced circulation
solar drying shows better result with reduced
drying time than open air solar drying and natural
circulation solar drying. But natural and forced
circulation solar drying should use for limited
quantity of product. For large quantity of product
drying, it is better to use the green house type solar
dryers.
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